A couple weeks ago, our Student Union organized a benefit concert to help the victims of the September flooding in the Philippines. It was an entirely student organized and run event. They did an amazing job. We got to enjoy music, dance performances, and yummy Filipino food – and the students were able to raise 470 Euro.
There are more pictures here: Benefit Concert
For the second year in a row, our class put on the Mr. VCS Pageant. This year the students decided to create characters to participate in the pageant rather than having someone from each grade compete. It was absolutely hilarious. The guys did a fantastic job of staying in character and ad-libbing throughout the show. Phlato, the Filipino Philosopher, played by Paul, was named Mr. VCS 2010. The class was able to raise about 500 Euro toward their senior trip. It was a really fun night!
There are a ridiculous number of pictures here: Mr. VCS 2010
Way back in December we had the senior class Christmas party. One of the families hosted it at their house and cooked us an amazing sit-down dinner. They provided the turkey and ham while the rest of us brought traditional side dishes and desserts from our home cultures. Everything was delicious!
We started the party off with a gift exchange. I tell you, these folks know how to give gifts. No white elephants here – well except from Matt who gave one of the boys Christmas themed toilet paper and canned snow. Yes, really. Anyway, the kids got clothes, jewelry, make-up, and all kinds of fun stuff. They know how to take care of each other. I was super excited because I got a case of Diet Dr. Pepper. Yay! It’s nice to have families with commissary connections. 🙂
After dinner we went outside and played in the snow. The kids did some running and sliding on the sidewalk, we broke a piñata, then we all lit sparklers and took fun pictures. It was a great night!
You can see the rest of the pictures here: Christmas Party
Each year our librarian creates a huge advent calendar in the library. She photoshops fun Christmas pictures with the faces of staff and students. It’s my favorite VCS tradition. Here’s what she did to us this year:
Merry Christmas!
The fall play this year was William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I was completely blown away by the incredible job the students did on this play. I actually got to watch it twice, and I was amazed both times.
Our friend Bethany was the director this year. I think she gave the students a true life gift by teaching them how to understand Shakespeare. This is a hard task for many people, but when you consider that most of our students are learning English as their second (or third, or fourth, or…) language, this is quite an accomplishment.
The fun thing with the play was that you could see they truly understood it. Not only that, but they truly enjoyed it. How do I know? Comedic timing. It’s everything, and they had it.
Well done kids! You are amazing!
You can see A LOT of pictures here: A Midsummer Night’s Dream